After a year of looking and saving, I thought I had found the perfect boat. 2001 xstar, advertised as the 330hp motor, 290 hours, mint condition, etc. I call the seller which happened to be a dealer, and saw the boat in person while it was being "detailed". Did a quick look over, talked some numbers, but couldn't agree on a price. I leave and he calls me back and we agree to 22500 out the door, if I pay for the service from the shop next door. Ok, I agree (all verbal) and the seller wants a 500 dollar deposit from me to hold it while its services before I take it on the water.

I give the seller the deposit, but make sure to use my credit card in case it goes south. Again, zero paperwork, all verbal. Boat is serviced and we take it out. Off the bat I notice the motor is the 310, it has 350 hours, it has no cover, dirty all over, the ballast doesn't fill or empty, and the perfect pass isn't engaging. We take it back to the dealer and I ask the owner to fix the non working items. He says I'm welcome to, but he's not fixing anything. Argument ensues and I tell him it's a totally different boat than advertised and I want my deposit back. His co worker steps in and offers to fix the items not working or missing. Ok, I tell him I can pick it up Monday since I'm on a business trip till Sunday.

Today he calls me and says everything is ready to pick up. I said ok, we'll take care of it Monday. He starts demanding an additional 1k deposit since he has "people lining up to buy it". No way, he has enough of my money at this point and he's extremely pushy. When final price is mentioned, he's saying its 23500+ out the door. No way, I tell him to I'm getting out of the deal and want my deposit. He says he's holding it to pay the boat shop for the maintenance (oil and impeller etc) and the rest for the test drive! Yeah right! It's a completely different boat than advertised, totally ragged, equipment not working, and you're gonna hold my deposit?!? Has anyone heard of someone this shady?

Nevertheless I called visa and disputed the charges. They are 100% on my side especially since there is ZERO written agreement between us. If it comes back on Craigslist I'm going to be sure to post a warning to any interested buyers.

ps- tracked down the previous owner he bought it from 2 weeks ago who told me the trans had water in it, shaft was pitted, and needed a rebuild. Interesting especially since the fluid looked brand new!

The first boat is always a learning experience. I was seventeen, saved about 2 years for a truck, but bought an 88 malibu skier and fixed the transmission in my Crown-vic instead. I was so excited and it ran great.

That winter I decided that I needed to patch a soft spot in the floor. I pulled back the carpet to find that the whole floor, stringers and motor mounts were wrecked. I honestly cried as I ripped up the floor and tore out all the foam that night. It took 7 months and every penny I had to get that thing back together. I put another 1,000hrs on that boat through 4 years of college (it already had 800). I finally sold it for $3,000.00 cash to a fellow and my buddy said he saw it out on his lake just last year.

Type "wakeboat" in the iPhone and you get waleboat! Damn auto correct. I never buy anything from a dealer unless its oem... Shoulda been my first sign! Meathead- have experience with this dude? Going to report him to bbb

As soon as I found out the boat was misrepresented, I wouls be very carefull. I would have told him to lower the price as the boat was priced based on a higher hourse power and fewer hours. If he argued, I would have walked.

21.5 +ttl would have been a good price for a mint loaded 01 xstar if it was like described. But 23.5 otd for a ragged our xstar that sat in a field for 2 years?? No way! I just hope someone on here doesn't buy it. Looks good from afar but far from good!

As a fellow Sacramento area marine shop owner, I know of his reputation far too well. We've repaired more than a few of his "sale" boats that were not water ready when sold initially.

I understand that it is business and sure you could use the money but why purposely associate yourself with a company like that if you know they are not of the standards that you believe in? I would have a hard time doing business with any company either as a customer or business partner that I feel don't provide a quality and the level of service customers deserve.

It doesn't matter what business you get involved with there are some that care only about the money and nothing about their reputation or what is right and wrong. I purchased a 32ft twin cabin twin engine cruiser. The douchebag knew exactly what he needed to do to sell the boat. It started and ran fine out of the water but after water circulated through the water cooled exhaust that had a hole in one the water would run down into the cylinder and lock the engine when it was shut off. I don't think he knew anything more than it wouldn't start on the water. Pulling the engine was a pain( I let someone else do it) new flywheel and manifold $2200... never buy a boat without trying it out on the water.

^^ Second that. I buy and sell as a hobby. Plus own 4 or 5 personal boats. Plus snowmobiles, 4 wheelers and the like. People will do anything just to get them sold. Buyer beware! Even dealers will do shady stuff to get a boat moved. You have to do your homework and be careful. Don't be afraid to get an independent mechanical inspection or survey. Cost money up front, but a couple hundred to walk away from a money pit is money well spent. When your buying a used boat you really need to know what you are looking at, or employ someone who does!